Bodies, faces, identities — we all have them, we're all happy with some aspects of them and unhappy with others. This complex relationship we have with ourselves is put under the lens in This Is Beautiful. The piece has three actors engaging in a soul-searching discourse about identity and body image while eating a banquet on stage. All the while, behind them a film projection portrays their bodies in transformative ways, beautiful to grotesque and back again. It comes from The Public Studio, an interdisciplinary company that is the brainchild of Ming-Zhu Hii and Nicholas Coghlan (Secret Life of Us). Their style, a blend of visual and performance art that sometimes presents as theatre, sometimes as installation, could be a study in complicated identity itself so they should be well suited to taking on the subject matter. Followed by a series of themed short films, this visual feast will surely give you some food for thought.
We hope you’re not feeling all theatred out after Melbourne Festival, because MTC is launching a new mainstage play this week. It’s Elling, by British playwright Simon Bent. Adapted from the Norwegian film of the same name, itself based on a series of popular novels, it tells the story of a middle-aged man with mental illness who is thrust into the world after the mother who has cared for him all his life dies. Placed in community housing with a flatmate who is scarcely more capable of handling daily life than he is, Elling finds himself faced with a host of unfamiliar challenges. Praised for its thoughtful and gently humorous approach to the subject matter, Elling played in Sydney under the same director (Pamela Rabe) in 2009. Darren Gilshenan, of Full Frontal fame, is also back in the lead role, and set to warm Melbourne's hearts as he did Sydney's with this endearing character.
Last time you spent a couple of days hanging out in Surfers Paradise, enjoying the beach and bars, and listening to live tunes by the shore, you might've been attending Schoolies. Your next excuse: Springtime, the brand new music fest that's heading to the Gold Coast this year. Obviously, thanks to the name, you know which season will be in bloom. Between Friday, September 3–Sunday, September 5, the new event will take over both beachside and streetside spaces around Surfers, with over 40 acts on the bill. There'll be multiple stages, including in outside spots and at sideshow venues. And, in fantastic news for your wallet, entry to all of the outdoor shows is completely free. If you're planning to make a weekend of it, the lack of entry fee means you'll have more cash to splash on a hotel room. With Australia's tourism industry taking a hit over the past year or so, enticing music lovers to the Goldie for a three-day getaway is obviously one of the fest's aims. Some sideshows might be ticketed, though — the details haven't been announced yet, but you might want to factor that into your plans. As for who you'll be seeing, headliners include Ball Park Music on the Friday, Hermitude and Sneaky Sound System on Saturday, and Ruel on Sunday. The Gold Coast Music Awards will be part of the fest as well — as will celebrating spring's arrival just by soaking in the location, obviously. [caption id="attachment_815054" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Derek Henderson[/caption] SPRINGTIME MUSIC FESTIVAL 2021 LINEUP: FRIDAY: Ball Park Music Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Ali Barter Radolescent Vices SATURDAY: Hermitude Sneaky Sound System Gold Coast Music Awards JK-47 Ninajiraci Mia Rodriguez Ebony Boadu Mollie Rose Garrett Kato Lili Papas Daste Gratis Minds Akurei Jake Carmody Strex Happy Hour Live with Lucy & Nikki SUNDAY: Ruel Sycco May-A Budjerah Ivey Peach Fur DVNA Saint Lane Pink Matter Kye Pure Milk Tom West Chutney Sh#t Shirt Disco Nina Sinclair Veople Springtime Music Festival will take place across the weekend of Friday, September 3–Sunday, September 5. For further information — and to RSVP — head to the festival website.
December marks the biggest month of markets for The District Docklands, all coming to a head with their Christmas Night Market, taking place on Friday, December 17. With a stacked line-up of vendors and local stores selling unique gifts and wares, it's going to be a great spot to stock up on any Christmas shopping you've left to the last minute. Art, jewellery fashion, homewares and locally grown produce will all be on offer, with live entertainment pumping throughout the night. The best part? The District is pet-friendly, so bring your pooch along for the evening — they might even find some special Christmas doggy treats littered among the stalls.
A plant sale might be to Brunswick what packed peak-hour trams are to Melbourne — that is, abundant and crowded — but get your wallets and elbows at the ready, because this one looks to be a doozy. Leaf & Bear, Brunswick-based plant specialists, are throwing an indoor plant clearance at you on Wednesday, June 27th. From 3pm, roll on down to their shop on Colebrook Street, just off Sydney Road, and have a gander at what they've put up for grabs. A pre-winter sale to clear out their warehouse, there'll be enough indoor plants to line your bedroom and rest of your house. Monsteras aplenty, terrariums and Japanese kokedamas (those balls of moss with a plant growing on top, one of Leaf & Bear's specialties) will all be there at serendipitously low prices. It's worth a pretend trip to the dentist so you can take the afternoon off work and get there early. Dogs are welcome, and parking and EFTPOS are both freely available.
We've talked before about the rapidly expanding genre of films we like to call 'BDF', or 'big, bumb and fun'. And let's be clear, that label's in no way intended as an affront. On the contrary, when done right, we love the BDF because it satisfies that very basic need every now and then to be entertained without having to tax our brains. More often than not, the BDF rears its head around holiday seasons in the form of disaster and/or alien invasion movies, with San Andreas, Pacific Rim and perhaps even the first Transformers all finding the right balance between the three key ingredients. When it goes the other way, however, usually on account of too much emphasis on 'the big' at the expense of 'the fun', these films quickly become joyless affairs that achieve little more than wasting your time and money. Think Batman vs Superman, Suicide Squad or Independence Day: Resurgence. In the seventies-set Kong: Skull Island, we're happy to say, that balance is back. Obviously it's a BIG movie – afterall, this is King Kong were talking about. It's also undeniably dumb. The dialogue is consistently bogged down in exposition, there's not a great deal of plot to speak of, and the characters make some pretty bizarre choices throughout. I'm no helicopter pilot, but if I suddenly discovered a high-rise sized gorilla and watched it hurl seven other choppers to their fiery death, I'd probably get the hell out of there, not fly directly towards it. Most importantly, though, this is a fun film. The action is well-paced and easy to follow despite director Jordan Vogt-Roberts' heavy reliance upon special effects. The one-liners, meanwhile, are solid enough, and John C. Reilly's downed WWII pilot, who never escaped the eponymous island, steals every scene in which he appears. It is, in short, an old-school monster movie complete with heroes, heroines, clowns and grizzly old soldiers. Then, of course, there's the big guy himself, although in truth the word 'big' doesn't really do him justice. In stark contrast to the original film, there's no caging this fella. He's a sixty-story silverback with a menacing glare and a mean right hook. When Kong battles the island's many monsters, it's like a street fighter up against ninjas: brute strength and stamina versus speed, stealth and agility. The humans, by comparison, are rendered little more than spectators. Of those humans, Kong: Skull Island boasts an impressive cast including Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, John Goodman and Samuel L. Jackson, all of whom lend their considerable weight to a script that probably deserved less. Interestingly, it also features Chinese star Jing Tian, who recently appeared in another film by the same production house: The Great Wall. Tian's inclusion, while only minor, allows Chinese distributors to smack her image on all their posters and, potentially, open up a giant market that might otherwise be inaccessible to a US blockbuster such as this. One suspects this trend will see a rapid surge in the coming 12 months. Hopefully they develop a more nuanced means of including international cast members than the awkward crow-barring that occurred here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAbI4w95cTE
More so than any other in recent memory, this summer is going to be all about socialising. And, whether you've got a special occasion to celebrate or looking for places to have those overdue catch-ups, you can't beat a private dining room if you want to go all out. We've teamed up with Hennessy to highlight six impressive private rooms in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for your next baller night (or day) out. Round up your crew, get the Henny flowing and your night is set.
In response to Melbourne's growing Holiday Inn COVID-19 cluster, the entire state of Victoria entered a five-day lockdown on Friday, February 12, which brought stage four restrictions back into effect. Come 11.59pm tonight, Wednesday, February 17, the stay-at-home period will end, but some restrictions will remain. And yes, you'll still be wearing face masks in most circumstances when you leave home. Announcing the changes today, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that "masks will continue to be a big part of our defence". So, you'll need to keep donning fitted face coverings whenever you're indoors, unless you're at home. Supermarkets and workplaces were named as two examples of places where you'll have to cover up, but the rule applies everywhere inside except when you're at your own house. The amended mask requirement comes into effect when midnight hits tonight, and you'll also need to keep wearing them outdoors if you can't socially distance. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1361823417121468416 With Victorians allowed to have five people visit their houses each day from midnight tonight, the new rules clarify the recommendations there, too. It's strongly advised that you pop a mask on when you have folks over, with the Victorian Government particularly concerned about reducing the risk situations and settings it considers especially vulnerable. If you're now wondering where to grab a fitted mask, we've put together a rundown of local companies making and selling them. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
If you've ever seen Nick Cave play live, you'll know he's not just a musician — he's a storyteller. And a powerful one. His shows have always given fans a glimpse into the highs and lows of his life — including the suffering that came with 2016 album The Skeleton Tree — with performances that are moving, intense and masterful. So it's not hard to see how the Aussie music legend created his newest show: Conversations with Nick Cave. Performing without his band the Bad Seeds (with which he's produced 16 albums), Cave will take the stage for an intimate show of conversation and pared-back solos of his most prolific songs on the piano. Ever wanted to ask him a question? These shows will give you the chance. Cave says that the conversational nature of the shows enables people to open up easily. "The audience tends to ask more challenging, revealing, playful and ultimately serious questions," he says. "You never know what you are going to get. They can be fearless and they can go deep." It's already toured the US and Ireland and will make its way around smallish venues in Australian and New Zealand throughout January next year. The show will start in rural Victoria before making its way down to Hobart, up to the Sydney Opera House (for his first show there since 2013) and then the Gold Coast and Brisbane. It'll then finish off the national tour with stops in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. CONVERSATIONS WITH NICK CAVE 2019 TOUR DATES Saturday, January 5 — Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta Sunday, January 6 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Tuesday, January 8 — Sydney Opera House, Sydney Friday, January 11 — HOTA, Gold Coast Saturday, January 12 — Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane Saturday, January 19 — Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Tuesday, January 11 — Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide Wednesday, January 23 — Perth Concert Hall, Perth Conversations with Nick Cave will tour Australia in January 2019. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, October 18 (Sydney here and everywhere else here). Image: Christie Goodwin.
Think about your life. Think about everything you have and everything you hold close. Now think of matcha. Do you even own one measly tin of the stuff? Well, buddy, the end is coming — the end of your world without matcha. Widely used in Japanese desserts, ice cream and snacks (including Pocky) and completely westernised by Starbucks in concoctions such as the Green Tea Latte and Green Tea Cream Frappucino, matcha is a Japanese gem, rich in history as well as antioxidants. And so, Smith Street’s specialty tea room Storm in a Teacup, is organising a tea party to end all tea parties: Matchageddon. A five-day tea festival focussing solely on matcha, Matchageddon is for both lovers of the green tea powder, and those that are still a little confused. For five full days, Storm in a Teacup will become one big teapot of celebration, including tea ceremonies, workshops, demonstrations, tastings and performance art. To kick things off, book yourself into The Green Beam: Matcha 101 for the Party People workshop on September 11, or head along to the GraffiTEA ceremonies or a very special Butoh performance on Saturday night. The Matchageddon menu will also be special, with matcha infused sencha, sweet matcha juice, matcha cocktails and matcha desserts. Also available for sale will be matcha kits, whisks and bowls. It’s really all the matcha you could ever need.
There's no denying the appeal of Victoria's High Country for foodies and outdoorsy types, but what about history and culture buffs? As it turns out, the northeastern region is an all-rounder destination — and, yes, that covers art, too. There are museums, studios and cultural landmarks dotted across these mountainous plains, showcasing the rich heritage and creative outlook of the region. Here, you'll find everything from bushranger folklore and Olympic alpine history to galleries with an emphasis on Indigenous artworks and art displayed on grain silos. Don't know where to start? With the help from the folks at Victoria's High Country, we've it narrowed down to six top-notch arty spots, so you can get straight to it. [caption id="attachment_806386" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Robert Blackburn[/caption] BENALLA ART GALLERY For your first art-fuelled adventure, head west of Wangaratta to the small rural town of Benalla on the edge of the Broken River. Situated among lush botanical gardens, the Benalla Art Gallery is one of the best regional art spaces in Victoria. Its collection covers Australian art dating back to the early 19th century with an emphasis on traditional and contemporary Indigenous art, including works by Albert Namatjira, Destiny Deacon, Gordon Bennett and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. On display, expect to see paintings — on bark and on canvas — as well as weaving, textiles, printmaking, sculpture and photomedia. Once you're done admiring the exhibitions, take some time to enjoy coffee and cake in the cafe overlooking Lake Benalla. Time your visit right and you might be able to attend one of the gallery's workshops or talks, too. [caption id="attachment_806456" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artist Tim Bowtell; photo by Delta Charlie Images[/caption] ST JAMES SILO ART Part of Australia's largest outdoor gallery, the northeastern section of The Silo Art Trail stretches from Benalla to the Winton Wetlands. There are several noteworthy murals that have been created through the project but, if you can only visit one, we'd suggest the silo in St James. Built in the mid-1900s, the silos in St James were constructed for the bulk bushels of wheat originally delivered to the site via horse and cart. Artist Tim Bowtell has skillfully depicted this motif on the silos' exteriors, along with a painting of local Sir George Coles, founder of the Coles supermarkets. Stop to marvel at the sheer scale of the artwork, while also appreciating the agricultural history of the area. [caption id="attachment_806377" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Peter Dunphy[/caption] CRAIG'S HUT If you like to combine your cultural appreciation with the great outdoors then Craig's Hut, located on Mount Stirling, is the perfect landmark for you. Built for the set of The Man From Snowy River back in the 80s and then reconstructed in 2008 after bushfires destroyed it two years prior, the log cabin serves as both a piece of Australian film history and a way station for hikers and cross-country skiers. To reach it, you can either tackle the 19-kilometre track from Telephone Box Junction Car Park or drive up to Circuit Road Picnic Area and walk a shorter (but still very steep) 1.6 kilometres to the cattleman's hut. If you have a car suitable for off-roading, you can head on the 4WD track. No matter how you get there, you'll find the breathtaking view is more than worth the effort. [caption id="attachment_806371" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria / Peter Dunphy[/caption] NED KELLY GUIDED WALKING TOUR As one of the preserved 19th-century gold mining towns, Beechworth has a history worth knowing. For example, did you know Ned Kelly — one of the country's most well-known outlaws — won a bare-knuckle boxing match in Beechworth that lasted 20 rounds? Well, now you do — and you can learn much more about the infamous bushranger and his connection to the town on a Ned Kelly Guided Walking Tour. Starting from the visitor centre at 1.15pm every day, the tour will talk you through many of the trials, tales and tribulations of Ned Kelly, his gang and what they got up to in town, including at the old courthouse and the site where the aforementioned boxing match took place. Afterward, if you're still keen on learning more about some of the area's colourful past, pay a visit to the Beechworth Historic and Cultural Precinct and the Old Beechworth Gaol. [caption id="attachment_807489" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Ashkanasy[/caption] THE NATIONAL ALPINE MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA Mount Buller's National Alpine Museum of Australia (NAMA) was established to preserve and display the rich cultural and environmental heritage of the country's alpine regions. Starting out with just 60 donated items, its collection now houses over 15,000 objects and materials that reveal the region's cattle, mining and timber history. It also looks into the fast-paced action of snow sports in Australia that goes beyond Olympic glossings. With objects from the late-19th century through to the present, NAMA's collection also tells many of the unsung stories and achievements of alpine personalities. TONY PRIDHAM FINE ART GALLERY If you have any interest in ornithology then you may already know of Tony Pridham. But for those left wondering, he's Australia's leading bird artist — and lauded Aussie artist Sidney Nolan's grand-nephew — so, a trip to his gallery is worth the 15-minute drive from Mansfield. Pridham's work hangs in galleries all over the world and his realist and hyperrealist artworks come from careful observation of wildlife in Australia, Africa, Europe and the USA. The Tony Pridham Fine Art Gallery exhibits limited-edition prints, sketches and original oil paintings and you might even catch the artist there while sitting behind his easel amid the gallery's gardens. Discover more and plan your next arty adventure at Victoria's High Country. Top image: Benalla Art Gallery, Visit Victoria / Robert Blackburn
Across Australia, tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus are implemented at a state-by-state level, which means that different parts of the country have been navigating the situation in different ways. That's where the nation's varying, seemingly ever-changing domestic border restrictions come in — and why hopping across the country has been a rather complex task for much of the past 12 months. In Western Australia, the state initially implemented a hard border and strict quarantine requirements with the rest of the nation. WA's border system then changed late in 2020, moving to a controlled interstate border that classifies other states according to their COVID-19 risk and puts restrictions in place accordingly. But if you live in or visited a state that's deemed medium risk or higher, it has still meant that you can't go to WA unless you receive an exemption. Victoria has been in that category since January 1; however, come 12.01am on Monday, January 18, it'll revert back to the low risk category. So, as announced on Friday, January 15, Victorians and those who've been in the state in the past 14 days can now head west — although there is still a quarantine requirement. https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1349997552918175746 Low-risk states have had fewer than five community cases per day across the past 14 days — but travellers from the area are still required to self-quarantine for 14 days. You'll also need to get a health screening at Perth Airport if arriving via air, and take a COVID-19 test on the 11th day of your quarantine no matter how you've arrived in WA. If you don't have somewhere to self-quarantine, you'll have to do so at a government-approved site at your own expense. And, you'll still need to apply for a G2G Pass, which is mandatory for everyone entering the state. To move down to the very low risk category, WA requires Victoria to have no community cases for at least 28 days. Currently, as at Saturday, January 16, Victoria has hit ten days. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub.
Last night, Yarra City Council passed a motion to ban alcohol consumption from all public parks and spaces this New Year's Eve. Unsurprisingly, this move comes in response to the gargantuan, national news-making, free-for-all rave that took place in North Fitzroy's Edinburgh Gardens last year. A largely unorganised event that completely trashed the parklands, the party sent 20 people into the care of emergency services and gave 10,000–15,000 local residents an amazing night to remember. It also somewhat memorably gave the Herald Sun another reason to get mad at "hipsters". Though the motion was not passed unanimously, this New Year's Eve will see public alcohol consumption banned from 9pm until 9am the following morning in the areas of Richmond, Abbotsford, Collingwood and Fitzroy (AKA everywhere you were planning to go). Mayor Jackie Fristacky stated the ban will discourage "anti-social behaviour" and be a great step in ensuring the safety of all residents in the area. Though councillor Stephen Jolly who voted against the measure claims the motion is extremist. "It's outrageous and it's actually going to just drive the problem underground," he said. "What they're doing now is going from one extreme to another and they're treating the young people that go down to Edinburgh Gardens as if they're al-Qaeda." Al-Qaeda! Hey, we like drinking in the park as much as the next inner-city hipster but that's a big call. Regardless, a lot of this talk isn't new. NYE alcohol is already banned in all public spaces in the inner Melbourne region, Port Phillip, and all of the Mornington Peninsula and Surf Coast. It's safe to say people are well-trained at swigging from covert flasks these days. The main sticking point of the ban is the huge cost involved in implementing it. Though the cleanup for last year's disgraceful mess — don't get us wrong, it really was awful — cost a whopping $30,000, the Council has said this year's efforts including security, cleaning and ground staff are estimated to cost $180,000. The Age are even reporting this figure could go as high as $250,000. Both fearful residents and frustrated partygoers are now left to question if the new benefits now outweigh the monumental cost. If we're going to fork out that much money to create a safe and respectable environment on NYE, you'd think we'd at least deserve a cheeky glass of bubbles as the clock strikes midnight. Via ABC and The Age. Top image licensed under GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons.
The emerging riverside suburb of YarraBend might have slipped under your radar so far, but that's all set to change as more details are revealed about its much-hyped food precinct, curated by acclaimed Melbourne chef Scott Pickett. The mind behind culinary hits like Estelle Bistro, Matilda 159 Domain and Saint Crispin, Pickett has jumped on board to help shape this new artisanal food district, as the suburb pushes to become one of the world's most liveable. YarraBend's planned food offering incorporates 2000 square metres of space for new restaurants, cafes, bars, providores and gourmet grocers, as well as indoor and al fresco dining areas unfolding onto parkland. And, it seems, Pickett has grand plans for the project saying, "We're going to create a new foodie precinct and could end up giving High Street, Northcote, a run for its money." As well as the food precinct, Yarra Bend will also be home to apartments, townhouses, workshops, art hubs and community facilities, such as bike paths, pools, gyms and parks. The new development on the banks of the Yarra — bordering Alphington, Ivanhoe and Kew — was first announced back in 2016, billed as a world-first 'Tesla Town'. What this means is that Tesla Powerwalls, which allow energy to be stored during off-peak times, will be built into every home along with solar panels and electric car recharging points. A global report released by British trends forecaster The Future Laboratory last month predicted YarraBend could become the World's Most Liveable Suburb by 2025, and highlighted food as a major liveability factor. The YarraBend development is expected to be completed by late 2020. Image: Dominique Cherry
Summer may be officially over, but screw that summation — it's still warm(ish) and we don't let the weather dictate what delicious foods we want to eat. Neither do the guys behind Huxtable and Huxtaburger, because they're brining their insanely popular Mr Claws lobster roll pop-up (circa summer '14) back to Smith Street for one day only. The pop-up will run in the (sadly) now-closed Huxtable, just across from their ever-popular Collingwood burger joint this Saturday, April 30 from midday. They'll be slingin' buttery rolls stuffed with pieces of lobster meat and dripping with special sauce. A roll with chippies and a beer or glass of bubbles will set you back $15. After the noms run out, drinks will go for $5 and and lobster party will ensue. Saturday's tipped to be 23 degrees and sun behind the cloud — but just pack your sunhat and your umbrella and turn up anyway. It's lobster we're talking about here.
Everyone has heard about — or tried to eat their way through — KitKat's famed range of weird and wonderful Japanese flavours. A cough drop version once existed, and it really wasn't great. The sake version, a perennial favourite, is absolutely delicious. But if you're vegan, none of these varieties will have tempted your tastebuds. KitKats in general won't have either, actually. Come July, that'll change for Aussies who follow a plant-based, dairy-free and cruelty free diet, and would also like to sink their teeth into a KitKat. The brand is launching KitKat V, a new vegan KitKat. It's made with a rice-based milk alternative, resulting in a smooth vegan milk chocolate — not dark chocolate — which is then layered over the usual crisp wafers. That means that from Monday, July 26, everyone can now have a break — and a KitKat — with KitKat V joining other plant-based alternatives among Nestle's products. So, if you'd like to crack open a few fingers while tucking into a glass of plant-based Milo, you'll be able to. The 41.5-gram bars will cost $2 and, if you're already keen, they can be pre-ordered from the KitKat Chocolatory website ahead of their supermarket debut at Woolworths Metro stores. When your next sugar craving hits, add them to your list alongside vegan Natural Confectionery Co fruit lollies, vegan choc tops, and vegan Magnums, Cornettos and Weis Bars. KitKat V will hit Woolworths Metro supermarkets on Monday, July 26 — or you can pre-order them now from the KitKat Chocolatory website.
"Space movie mashup" isn't the best name for a film, but in Passengers' case, it would've fit. So would've the much too wordy "intergalactic love story with a predictable twist". Let's try a third one on for size: "attractive actors find a way to pair up…as they're hurtling towards another galaxy". The formula is simple, with Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence the good-looking talent in question, a spaceship heading to a new planet their setting, and both sparks and conflict flying. Here's how Passengers starts out: mechanical engineer Jim Preston (Pratt) wakes up on board the starship Avalon, only to discover that he hasn't quite reached his destination yet. Thanks to a hibernation pod malfunction, he's up and moving 90 years too early — and, among the 5000 folks snoozing on board, he's the only living soul wandering the vessel's many decks, rooms, basketball court, dance floor and pool with an intergalactic view. Android bartender Arthur (Michael Sheen) pours a mean drink but is no substitute for real human company, and soon loneliness and despair begin to set in. Much to Jim's relief, pretty young writer Aurora Lane (Lawrence) eventually joins him; however their romantic bliss isn't exactly what it seems. With The Imitation Game's Morten Tyldum directing a script that was actually written a decade ago by Doctor Strange scribe Jon Spaihts, what follows is as standard as it sounds, even with the aforementioned twist. Indeed, while Passengers' big plot development isn't divulged in the film's trailers, it's not at all difficult to guess. Moreover, while the eventual revelation drives much of the movie's drama, it's really just a way to bring the two characters together, tear them apart, and leave the audience waiting for a reunion. The end result is an interstellar effort that veers into creepy territory; a film that recognises the moral dilemma at its core, but doesn't take more than a cursory moment or two to really explore it. The same can be said for its broader existential leanings, both when Jim is alone and when Aurora awakens. You won't find Moon's musings on isolation, Solaris' pondering of love and loss, or Sunshine's psychological complexity here. Still, it's hard not to make the comparison — and before long you may find yourself wishing you were watching one of those films instead. Passengers does its best to coast through the cinematic realm fuelled by star power and shiny surfaces, boasting enough of both to keep your eyes engaged, but not your heart or mind. Pratt and Lawrence are in fine, charismatic form, even if they never particularly sell their rapport. Sheen, meanwhile, is sadly underused as the only other actor with a significant speaking role. All in all, the movie may look the space-bound part, but it ends up feeling far too generic.
Glenferrie Road is one of Melbourne's busy, multiple-suburb-spanning roads that is chockablock every time you drive down it. This is, in part, thanks to the plethora of cafes and restaurants lining it. And Shade, Hawthorn's latest coffee-and-brunch offering, is the latest to arrive on its sidewalk. Sitting almost flush with Glenferrie Station, the cafe is reflects the area in many ways. Firstly, the name is a nod to the City of Boroondara, the local government area — the word "boroondara" means "a shady place" in the language of the Wurundjeri people. Owned by three lifelong friends, Shade is also run by a team who went to school and have raised families in the area. And it has Hawthorn's best interests at heart, too — with convenient, good coffee, and a mix of modern cafe fare and Asian dishes. Exposed brick, fresh greenery and aqua-hued crockery line the inside of the cafe, with the fairly minimalist design betraying a menu that isn't minimalist at all. On it, you'll find pancakes loaded with fairy floss and candied walnuts, deep fried eggs with mushrooms and pulled pork bao. And there are lots of edible flower garnishes, too. Shade is open till 5.30pm Fridays and at least 4pm every other day — for those late coffee and cake runs. So, next time you're sitting in traffic on Glenferrie Road, you know what to do. Shade is located at 684 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.
Yesterday triple j breakfast hosts and all-round legends Matt and Alex broke morning commuters hearts by announcing they'll be leaving the station at the end of the year. And while we're super saddened by the news, as with every teary professional departure comes the silver lining: a blowout leaving party. And Matt and Alex's is going to be a big one. Not content with a Woolies cake and a case of beer in the ABC offices, the pair are taking their sayonara soiree around the country for 5 Raves in 5 Days. They'll visit Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, bringing with them a slew of Aussie artists for DJ sets. Among the guest DJs are Client Liaison, The Preatures, Gang of Youths, Montaigne, Lisa Mitchell, Ball Park Music and more. The whole thing kicks off next week (so soon!) on Monday, November 28 in Perth before wrapping up on the Friday in Brissie. The best part? They're all free. It's gonna be a big week. Here's the lineup. MATT AND ALEX'S 5 RAVES IN 5 DAYS Monday, November 28 — Amplifier Capitol, Perth DJ sets by: Drapht, Mosquito Coast, San Cisco and Tired Lion Tuesday, November 29 — Fat Controller, Adelaide DJ sets by: Bad//Dreems, Jess Kent, Luke Million, Tigerilla and Trials Wednesday, November 30 — 170 Russell, Melbourne DJ sets by: Bec Sandridge, Client Liaison, Gretta Ray, Illy, Japanese Wallpaper and Olympia Thursday, December 1 — Beach Road Hotel, Sydney DJ sets by: Gang of Youths, Lisa Mitchell, Montaigne, One Day DJs, The Preatures and triple j presenters Friday, December 2 — Oh Hello Car Park, Brisbane DJ sets by: Amy Shark, Ball Park Music, Confidence Man, Feki feat. Gill Bates, The Jungle Giants
Meatlovers, keep it together. Richmond’s carnivore-frequented restaurant, Meatmother, will open their second offering in the CBD: Meatmaiden. Creators Neil Hamblen and Nick Johnston have teamed up with Melbourne chef Justin Wise for their latest meat-focused dining project; Wise has already made a name for himself with his handiwork at The Point Albert Park and Press Club. Opening on August 27, Meatmaiden will unveil its new digs in the basement of the Georges Building at 195 Little Collins St, all decked out den-style by Urchin Associates. Prepare to sink your teeth into 12-hour F1 Tajima wagyu brisket smothered in a native Tasmanian pepper berry rub, or a 10-hour pasture-fed beef short-rib from Gippsland, both pulled from a custom-made Silver Creek smoker. Meatmaiden also boats some great sharing morsels if a mountain of meat is a little daunting; we’re keen to check out the southern fried chicken ribs with jalapeno mayo. While this is a particularly carnivorous affair, vegetarians have not been forgotten — give the smoked eggplant a try, or if you're pescetarian there's a sumptuous-looking lobster mac and cheese. As for the drinks, there'll be a six-tap system constantly rotating a mix of local and American craft beer. If you’re after something a little punchier, the sharp cocktail menu is generous on the bourbon and best enjoyed paired with Meatmaiden’s bar snacks. The wine list is concise and champions local winemakers, as well as stocking some exceptional international bottles. The house of meaty shenanigans can accommodate 120 in its den of iniquity, with sprawling communal tables made larger groups. Prepare to feast on some juicy, fall-apart-in your-mouth meaty goodness, Meatmaiden is on her way. Meatmaiden opens Wednesday, August 27 for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday. Find her at 195 Little Collins St, Melbourne CBD and www.meatmaiden.com.au.
Whether you're catching up with mates or planning a casual date, Richmond's longstanding Prince Alfred pub is a pretty solid go-to. And now, on top of its usual pub grub, the hotel is offering up Bottomless Wagyu dinners every Sunday evening. Because who doesn't love a good Sunday session with plenty of food and cold bevvies? For two hours, you can fill up on as much wagyu beef as you like for just $35. Plus, you'll be loading up your plate with a bunch of sides — think beer-battered fries, fresh bread and creamy mash. There are two sessions available every week, so you can opt for either a 5pm or 7pm dinner. If you feel like taking things up a notch, you can make things boozy for an additional $20, which will get you unlimited drinks over the course of your sitting, with bourbon, house beer and wine on offer. Want to head down to the pub early? From 4pm onwards you can nab an Aperol spritz or an espresso martini for $15 a pop. If you're keen to book, head here — you'll want to get in quick to nab yourself a table.
For an art gallery that has garnered recognition by showing the remnants of a suicide bomber made from dark chocolate and X-rays of people having sex, it seems unsurprising that the first art and music festival from Hobart's Museum of New and Old Art would be entirely unconventional and a bit of an enigma. Dark MOFO is an 11-day celebration of art in its many splendid forms. You could describe it as a world-class music festival featuring such local and international superstars as The Presets, Martha Wainwright, You Am I and The Drones. But Dark MOFO is much, much more than your garden-variety music festival; MONA is offering a full-on assault of the senses with a smorgasbord of concerts and performances, interactive artworks and giant installations popping-up all over Hobart. There is Canyons and visual artist Daniel Boyd's audiovisual extravaganza 100 Million Nights, a curated film festival at the State Cinema, the new MONA exhibition Red Queen and even a massed nude swim on the night of the Winter Solstice. According to creative director Leigh Carmichael, these performances and artworks will celebrate the very thing Hobart is most reviled for: the cold and dark. Oh and did we mention that MONA is offering $100,000 worth of free flights? In order to attract interstate visitors, MONA have promised to pay for roughly 600 return flights to Hobart, ensuring that this groundbreaking new festival can be enjoyed by art enthusiasts across the country. Dark MOFO will run from June 13-23, with new exhibitions, performances, locations and general mayhem being announced almost weekly from the Dark MOFO website. Check it out to find out more about the festival and apply for your own free return flight to Hobart.
It's become the question of the week: can you drive to go exercise if you stick within your approved five-kilometre radius of home? Just a few days ago, Victoria Police doubled down on the DHHS' original directives forbidding driving to exercise during stage four restrictions. Now, health officials have loosened the rules ever so slightly, with new guidelines brought into effect overnight. On Monday, August 17, a post to the Eyewatch - Port Phillip Police Service Area Facebook page provided a firm reminder that "travelling in a vehicle to exercise is NOT permitted." Victoria Police made the announcement after noticing widespread misunderstanding of the rule by residents, aiming to clear up confusion by reiterating the DHHS' own words and warning of potential fines for anyone flouting the directives. The response was heated, with the post quickly garnering over 4200 comments from locals, many of which voiced their dissatisfaction with the no-drive mandate. Many commenters seemed to be discovering the rule for the first time, while others were quick to criticise it, saying it was "ridiculous" people could drive five kilometres to shop, but not for exercise. Now, it seems the wave of opposition has not only caught the attention of Victorian health experts, but prompted them to revise their original advice. "Every Victorian must follow the directions of the Chief Health Officer — that includes taking your daily exercise at the closest practicable location within 5km of home," a DHHS spokesperson said in a statement today. The Eyewatch - Port Phillip Police Service Area Facebook page has removed its earlier post and published a new one confirming the rule revision. It says the move came after the Chief Health Officer discussed the rule changes with Victoria Police. https://www.facebook.com/eyewatchportphillip/photos/a.125432814799143/589435825065504/?type=1&theater On the DHHS' Q&A-style factsheet regarding exercise during stage four, it has updated its response to the question, "Can I drive to a park within 5km of home for exercise?" The answer, as of this morning, Thursday, August 20: "Yes, you can drive to a location such as a park or running track within 5km of your home to exercise. You cannot drive more than 5km from your home to exercise. You can exercise with one other person. This can be a person you live with or a friend or family member." Earlier, the department's response was a firm no. Police will stop enforcing the previous no-drive rule immediately and the Chief Health Officer's Direction is set to be updated from Friday. For more information about exercising during stage four, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.
There’s plenty of chill in the air this season, but if you're looking for chills of a different nature, take a trip into the The Bloody Chamber at the Malthouse. It is based on a truly classic serial killer story, the 17th-century fairy tale Bluebeard. The story of a damsel who marries an aristocrat only to find the wives who have come before her are many and murdered, it has appeared in a host of different versions over the years. This play is based on an erotic reworking of the story by British feminist writer Angela Carter and has been adapted for stage by Van Badham, known for her politically charged dark comedies and romance novels about witches. It stars Alison Whyte, playing multiple roles both maidenly and monstrous, and with a live music score by a trio of harpists, it will be sure to set your spine a-tingling.
After ten successful years running The Gertrude Street Projection Festival, The Centre for Projection Art has decided to try something new: the MiNi Festival, a mini but mighty nocturnal playground of projection art and installations. Running for two nights, from September 21–22, the free community-driven event will showcase spectacular light compositions from local artists. Local artist Kate Geck, recognised for her incredible kaleidoscopic projections, is the festival's feature artist. Geck's immersive and constantly changing images will be projected across the gardens. It will also respond to interaction so the audience has an opportunity to participate. Also exhibiting will be emerging artists from Yarra Youth Services. Working collaboratively with a moving screen and storytelling machine, the artists will utilise cutting-edge animation software to transform the public space into captivating works of art. The MiNi Festival will be held in the Atherton Gardens Precinct, a public housing estate in Fitzroy. So, while it's nice to see pretty colours projected onto otherwise lacklustre bricks and mortar, there's a little more to the story. After lots of careful research, creative development and consultation with the community, the organisers decided to highlight this location and help reduce the stigma around public housing. A little food for thought while you're basking in those beautiful lights.
NEON, the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Festival of Independent Theatre, is now in full swing. The first show, Menagerie, has just finished its run and next in line is Fraught Outfit’s On The Bodily Education of Young Girls. Set in an isolated female-only boarding school, an environment both idyllic and sinister where the educational practices are unorthodox to say the least, and performed largely in silence, this promises to be an eerie theatrical experience. It’s based on a novella published in 1903 but don’t go expecting something twee. Author Frank Wedekind was a playwright who popped many a monocle from the eyes of his audiences with his frank depictions of sexuality and violence. It’s only fitting that his work is being staged 110 years on by an edgy Melbourne indie company. Adena Jacobs of Fraught Outfit has shown her hand at dusting off old stories and giving them fresh life as controversial theatre with her takes on Ingmar Bergman’s Persona (2012) and Euripides’ Elektra (2010), so it will be intriguing what she does with Wedekind’s surreal tale of twisted schooling. It’s sure to be a lesson in the avant-garde.
Settle in for a long lunch at Taxi Kitchen, with a new Feed Me lunch menu (dubbed FML) for an easy $45 per person. Available every day of the week between 12pm and 3pm at the Federation Square favourite, guests will share three small plates and a large plate across this leisurely lunch. The small plates menu runs to the likes of sake-washed tuna paired with a yuzu yellow, or crispy tempura bug tails seasoned with nori dust and sesame aioli. We recommend the steak tartare topped with a confit egg yolk, which is balanced nicely with nashi, black garlic and wonton crisps. Larger plate choices will see guests making the difficult choices between low-cooked lamb shoulder with kohlrabi puree and Xinjiang spices, or Szechuan spiced duck laden with chilli dressing and watercress. Vegetarian choices include a crispy potato and cabbage bao with tonkatsu and pepper kewpie, or roasted eggplant with charred broccolini, miso and chickpeas. Images: Michael Pham
It's hard to know quite where to start when writing about Lin-Manuel Miranda's vastly lauded and widely appreciated creation Hamilton. The musical, which opened at Her Majesty's Theatre following a sold-out run in Sydney, is one of the most significant cultural texts of our generation. It won myriad Tonys, a Grammy, a Pulitzer Prize — one of those rare artworks that has transcended its original medium to become a bona fide phenomenon. Needless to say, it is extremely easy to find fans of this show. There are literally millions and millions of them. In fact, it's far more challenging to find people who know absolutely nothing about it. But ladies and gentlemen: we found one! Concrete Playground writer Nik Addams is a true neophyte when it comes to musical theatre and, beyond a cursory awareness of Hamilton due to its prevalence in culture at large, he knew very little about the show or the story. So, we decided to send him — a theatre-goer unencumbered by the baggage of knowledge and context — to get as fresh a take as possible on one of the most take-generating productions of all time. Fresh out of the doors of Her Majesty's, here are four observations Nik shared from his first-time Hamilton experience. THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF MUSICALS Nik: "A common criticism of musicals is that bursting into song between spoken conversations can distract from the story, but Hamilton avoids this problem entirely as the whole thing is either sung or rapped — which came as a very pleasant surprise. In this sense, Hamilton makes a case for itself as a musical for people who don't necessarily love musicals. I had prepared myself for a kind of schmaltziness I assumed typical of musical theatre. Not so here. Even the more sentimental numbers are more understated than you'd expect given that they deal with the heavy-hitting themes of heartbreak and death." A LITTLE PRE-THEATRE READING IS RECOMMENDED Nik: "Not knowing anything of the Founding Fathers (being born and raised in a Greek household in Melbourne, I was more interested in European history), Hamilton's storyline was not always easy to follow. I got to a point somewhere towards the end of the first act where I just gave up trying to fully understand who was who and what was what. But, the production values were so high that I remained engaged even if the nuances of the relationships between characters and their significance were going over my head." "Things did become clearer in the second act, though, when the set-up was done and there was a sense of not only knowing who was who and what their motivations were, but the story itself more noticeably progressing. If you're going in fresh like me, I'd recommend a quick scan of Alexander Hamilton's Wikipedia page (or, indeed, our bluffer's guide to Hamilton) before the show so you don't need to use your brain quite as much." THE DANCING AND STAGING ARE TOP TIER Nik: "The choreography is captivating. It's almost hard to believe that such synchronised precision is taking place in front of your eyes, no camera tricks involved. The most lasting example of this is the scene depicting Alexander Hamilton's death at the hand of his political rival Aaron Burr in a duel (this isn't a spoiler by the way, it's foreshadowed in the opening number). This is a breathtaking tableau, an immersive, stop-start, movie-like depiction that makes excellent use of the stage's rotating, turntable set, creating a palpable sense of tension even though you know exactly how it ends." [caption id="attachment_817297" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Hamilton Australia', Daniel Boud[/caption] THE CAST IS STRAIGHT UP INCREDIBLE Nik: "Hamilton is a very, very good production. That I know. The show is beautifully choreographed and performed by a cast who genuinely looks like it's enjoying itself. Led by the superb Jason Arrow as the title character, the troupe delivers many of the show's 27,000 words at a breakneck pace with a clarity and diction that I can barely achieve when talking normally, let alone rapping under stage lights wearing knee-length boots and tailcoats. There is no doubt that it's hugely ambitious, but it's made to look easy, even effortless — and the result is a production that's hard to look away from." THE MUSICAL THEATRE NEWBIE'S FINAL THOUGHTS Nik: "One of the most common refrains throughout the show is "Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?" This thoroughly contemporary retelling of a significant chapter of America's history certainly does not leave that question unanswered. But the answer is such a multi-layered one that it's deserving of a second look." Hamilton is playing at Her Majesty's Theatre and is currently booking through to August. Visit the musical's website for further details. Heading to the theatre? Check out our bluffer's guide to the show, or discover some fun facts about the show with two of its stars. Images: Daniel Boud
What's better than one Gelato Messina sweet treat? Twenty-four days of them, all in chocolate form with each one hiding behind tiny numbered windows. In 2022, the cult-favourite dessert brand launched its first-ever advent calendar, much to everyone's delights — and it's bringing it back in 2023. Even if you're not the biggest fan of Christmas, this is festive news worth celebrating. So, 'tis the season to be jolly, and to also enjoy opening miniature cardboard doors and eating the goodies within. First, the sad news for ice cream lovers: Messina's advent calendar won't need to be stored in your freezer, because it isn't filled with gelato. Next, the still-tasty news: it does come stuffed with Messina's delicious chocolate bites. (And it is recommended that you keep it in a cool, dark place, or in the fridge.) So, you can now spend the first 24 days of December feasting your way through gingerbread men, fruit mince tart choccies, pastry-choc clusters, pralines and pâte de fruits — plus other Messina wares. That's all that the chain is officially giving away, because part of the whole advent calendar setup is getting a surprise daily. That said, you can also expect to find little chocolate candy canes and snowmen among the sweets. Handmade by Messina's in-house chocolatiers, every chocolate in the custom advent box is different — and, like all Messina specials, there's only a limited number available. Thankfully, there's more on offer than in 2022, when the 300 that were made were snapped up quicker than Santa eating cookies (well, as you believed when you were a kid). The gelato chain realises that plenty of people want its advent calendars, releasing a bigger number in 2023. Christmas fiends (and chocolate lovers) will need to order on Monday, October 9, for pick up from Friday, November 24–Sunday, November 26. (Yes, that does mean you'll need to exercise some self-control for a few days, to stop yourself breaking open the calendar as soon as it's in your hot little hands.) As with the brand's other limited-edition treats, this one is doing staggered on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am AEDT and Victorians at 9.15am AEDT, with New South Wales customers are split across three times from 9.30–10am AEDT depending on the store. Gelato Messina's advent calendar goes on sale on Monday, October 9 from 9am AEDT, for pick up from Friday, November 24–Sunday, November 26. For more information, head to the Messina website.
Organic store Aunt Maggie's is throwing its annual Winter Solstice Chocolate Festival, melting away your troubles for the fourth year in a row at its new Lygon Street, Carlton digs. Saturday, June 23 will bring a feast of organic, raw and just generally comforting treats from the likes of Wildcrafted, Melbourne Cacao, Little Zebra Chocolates, Kennedy & Wilson Chocolates, Chow Cacao and a whole host more — so bring your sweet tooth/teeth. There will be market stalls to browse, samples to snack on and some juice bar bonanzas being pumped out as well. Plus, FYI, if you get sick of eating, there's liquid comfort to be had too courtesy of wine tastings from Paxton and RAW. With their range of biodynamic and vegan offerings on the go, it's basically just putting good stuff in your bodies all round. The event is free, so your weekend finances will be as warm and happy as your bellies.
If you want to add some cuddles to your morning workout routine, make tracks to South Wharf for Pups and Pilates. BYO doggo (or cosy up to someone else's) and enjoy a 45-minute pilates class that is sure to start your day off with a big dose of endorphins. The class is hosted by PatchPets, a new social app that allows you to connect with other dog owners and lovers, and acts as a directory of all the dog services, venues and happenings around town. The sessions will run at 9am on five consecutive Saturdays at The Common Man — launching on December 7, then running again each week from December 14–January 4. The class is free with an Eventbrite booking, and there are still spots left — so take your pick and nab one while you can.
The wait is over. Ten months after it was first announced, Margaret Atwood's highly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid's Tale is being released to the world on Tuesday, September 10. Knowing how badly you want to get your hands on The Testaments (and not be the only one at the office that doesn't have a clue what everyone is talking about), Readings Carlton is opening the store bright and early at 7.30am, so you can be one of the first to delve into the story. Obviously, if you're going to be up at that time — and consuming bleak, dystopian fiction, too — you need sustenance. So Readings' neighbours Heartattack and Vine will be providing free coffee and pastries to the keen literary minds picking their books up between 7.30am and 9am, or until all the goodies run out. Can't wait? In the meantime, you can have a gander at an extract of The Testaments online. 'The Testaments' will be released on Tuesday, September 10. Readings Carlton will be open from 7.30am, with free coffee and pastries available until 9am.
Next time you're slurping on some noodles or devouring a stir-fry, don't stop when your bowl is empty. If you're still hungry, set your sights on the utensils in your hand. Yes, chowing down on chopsticks has become a reality — and whatever you think they'll taste like, they won't. Unless you were really hoping they'd have the same flavour as furniture, that is. Unveiled by Japan's Marushige Confectionery, the edible chopsticks are designed to serve two purposes: provide a sustainable alternative to current chopsticks, which are usually made out of bamboo, wood, plastic or steel, and are used in the billions each year around the world; and provide a reminder about the country's agricultural traditions. It's for the latter reason that they're made out of igusa, the soft reeds usually used to make the tatami floor mats that are common around the nation. By turning igusa into chopsticks, then getting folks to munch on them, Marushige hopes people will come to appreciate the substance's cultural significance. At present, the tatami-flavoured chopsticks be made available at two restaurants in Tokyo, but whether they'll spread to become a broader trend is yet to be seen. No one can argue with the fact that it's an ingenious idea — how many pairs of disposable wooden chopsticks have you used and then thrown out recently? More than you probably realise. As for the taste, maybe it's the kind of thing that you just get accustomed to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBOXZBgXqDs Via MUNCHIES.
French, Spanish, German, American, Japanese: Australia has no shortage of film festivals categorised by country. But what about the stories of those with no nation at all? Lighting up screens for the second year as part of Refugee Week, the films in the Refugee Film Festival will explore the trials and tribulations of people fleeing persecution and war. The festival will be held at Carlton's Cinema Nova from June 17 to 22. Standout titles include Hope Road, which chronicles the efforts of a Sydney-based Sudanese refugee to raise funds to build a school in his village; Stop the Boats, about the slogan used to condemn those seeking asylum in Australia; and Human Flow, Ai Weiwei's immensely moving portrait of the global refugee crisis. Cinephiles outside of Sydney and Melbourne can also put their hand up to host a screening themselves. For more information on how to make that happen, as well as the full festival program, go here.
Fuzzy is bringing the party to the people with Listen Out, which will be coming to Melbourne's Catani Gardens on Saturday, September 23 for its fifth year before dates in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane. Some highlights on this year's lineup include US rappers Mac Miller and Future, New York-based electronic producer Jai Wolf and UK artists Duke Dumont and Little Simz. Aussie acts get a look-in via Safia, Perth avant-electronic bedroom producer KUCKA and dance duo Pnau. Kicking off at 1pm and running through till 10pm, Catani Gardens' walking paths lined with palm trees offer the perfect backdrop for the Melbourne part of the tour. Tickets are now on sale — so be sure to grab them while you still can. See the full lineup below. LISTEN OUT 2017 LINEUP Bryson Tiller Duke Dumont Future Getter Green Velvet Jai Wolf Kucka Little Simz Mac Miller Malaa Mallrat Pnau Safia Touch Sensitive Vallis Alps What So Not Alice Ivy Annie Bass (in Sydney only) Cc Disco (in Melbourne only) Muto (in Melbourne only) Ninajirachi Nyxen + more Images: Mitch Lowe.
Sometimes it feels like the only thing to do with your 'I haven't had a holiday in three years' woes is to jump in your car and leave town in a hurry. The nine-to-five might be getting you down — especially as the warm weather is being such a tease — and you might be sitting at your desk dreaming of standing up and flipping it, quitting your job and cruising up the Princes to a new destination. But, it's probably best you don't. Perhaps, a better idea would be to get to know the parts of your city that you're not so familiar with. Joining forces with Mitsubishi to celebrate of the new Eclipse Cross, we've curated a list of experiences for every day this week to trick you into believing you're in a new town with a fresh vibe. And, you won't even need to quit your job. MONDAY, OCTOBER 15: SWIM AND CROISSANTS Do some laps then treat yourself to a tasty pastry. Start your week off energised and get your blood pumping with some laps at the Fitzroy Swimming Pool. Once you've done had your swim and a hot shower, you'll be ready to crack on with your Monday. But first, breakfast. Make a beeline straight for Lune and its renowned croissants. Grab a buttery, chocolate or almond version (or one of each, for research's sake) and scoff it down on your way to work, inspiring morning envy in those around you on the tram. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16: VEGAN TUESDAYS Gorge on vegan Indian fare guilt-free for just $25. Keep Meat-Free Monday going and hit up Babu Ji, an Indian restaurant on St Kilda's Grey Street that runs Vegan Tuesdays every week. It's an all-you-can-eat sort of affair; devour as much rice and curry as you can for just $25. While the menu varies week to week, all the offerings are completely vegan and can be made gluten free as well (hello, gluten-free naan). The night is intended to showcase the versatility of Indian food and how easily it can cater for dietary requirements like veganism. And, yes, pappadums are included. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17: A DAY OF PODCASTS Get up close and personal with the best podcasting talent at ACMI. Head along to OzPod 2018, the Australian Podcast Conference taking place at ACMI, presented by ABC. The conference will take place on Wednesday, October 17, with a number of international podcasters scheduled to appear. American Julia Lowrie Henderson from the podcast Bikram and Canadian Veronica Simmonds from podcasts Alone: A Love Story, Sleepover and Tai Asks Why will be there, as will locals Hedley Thomas from The Teacher's Pet, Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe from Double J's Bang On, Honor Eastly from Starving Artist and Being Honest with My Ex and Yumi Stynes from ABC's Ladies We Need to Talk. The conference will combine audio storytellers, producers and innovators, with more of the program to be announced soon. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18: UNRAVELING PERFECTIONISM Head to a talk at MPavilion and learn about the inherent human need to be 'perfect'. MPavilion is about to kick into gear for another year, with the annual spring/summer installation kicking off in October. On Thursday, October 18, you can swing by Perfectionisms: an event focusing that inherent human need to be 'perfect' and how it can positively and negatively affect us. Dr David Irving, Dr Margaret Osborne, Professor Shitij Kapur and Professor Alan Duffy will all turn their considerable brain powers to answer questions about the hunt for perfection and why it drives us. Perhaps, this is the perfect mid-week reality check you need. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19: FINDERS KEEPERS MARKET Peruse the local designs and wares at this seasonal market. Finders Keepers swings back into town this October, taking place at The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton from Friday, October 19. Head over to the design market that will, as always, feature leading local designers (and those from across the rest of the country, too). In its tenth year, Finders Keepers has grown to be one of Australia's leading markets and supports more than 1200 sellers yearly. With design, art, fashion as well as food and live music to sustain shoppers — even if you don't buy much, your mood leading into the weekend will be amped right up. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20: CITY ESCAPE Get back to the great outdoors and explore Werribee Gorge. Make full use of the sunny days that we've been copping and take the opportunity to go on an adventure this weekend. Head to Werribee Gorge to do a walk and take in some of the west-of-the-city charms. There's nothing like a bit of fresh air and a beautiful environment — only an hour or so out of Melbourne, too — to renew what you love about the city. Take a hike along the popular Werribee Gorge Circuit, an eight-kilometre hike that's perfect for beginners — or those who've been in winter hibernation and have forgotten how to spell the word 'exercise'. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21: BIG FASHION SALE Update your warm-weather wardrobe for less. Along with Finders Keepers, the Big Fashion Sale also hits Melbourne from October 18–21, so you can make your weekend a fashion and design-heavy one. It is the changing of the seasons, after all. The designer clearance sale will set up on Easey Street in Collingwood for the weekend and will be open from 10am–5pm. With EFTPOS available, you'll probably find it easy enough to nab a bargain from a top designer. More than 50 brands are represented and some will be discounted up to 80 percent —that'll get you moving on a Sunday, even if you're sore from yesterday's hike. Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here.
Trying to pick the best line from Succession isn't just a difficult task; it's almost impossible. The series is one of the best-written shows on television, and best in general, in no small part thanks to how well it hurls about bickering dialogue. Before the HBO series first graced TV screens back in 2018, you mightn't have realised exactly how entertaining it is to watch people squabbling. Not just everyday characters, either, but the constantly feuding and backstabbing — and ridiculously wealthy and privileged — family of a global media baron. It's not only the arguing and power plays that make this hit compulsively watchable, however, but the witty words flung about, the scathing insults shot back and forth, and the pitch-perfect performances that deliver every verbal blow. Due to the pandemic, Succession hasn't actually been on our screens for a couple of years now. So, since 2019, we've only been able to enjoy its scheming chaos by re-binging its first two seasons. But the acclaimed drama is set to return next month — and, based on both its initial teaser back in July and the just-dropped full trailer, all those Roy family antics and the bitter words they inspire are in full swing once again. Yes, it's time to soak up your latest glimpse of a fictional family that could be Arrested Development's Bluth crew, but much, much more ruthless. And, after the big bombshell that son Kendall (Jeremy Strong, The Trial of the Chicago 7) dropped at the end of season two, the third season has plenty to dig into. Obviously, always-formidable patriarch Logan (Brian Cox, Super Troopers 2) is far from happy, and the rest of his children — Connor (Alan Ruck, Gringo), Shiv (Sarah Snook, Pieces of a Woman) and Roman (Kieran Culkin, Infinity Baby) — are caught in the middle. If you've seen the past two seasons, you'll know that this brood's tenuous and tempestuous relationship has only gotten thornier as we've all watched, and that doesn't ever look set to change. For Succession newcomers, the series follows the Roys as Logan's offspring try to position themselves as next in line to his empire. It's clearly set among the one percent, in lives that most folks will never know — but the idea that depiction doesn't equal endorsement is as rich in Succession and its brand of satire as its always-disagreeing characters. There is something different this time around, however, with Alexander Skarsgård (Godzilla vs Kong) and Adrien Brody (The Grand Budapest Hotel) joining the drama. Created by Peep Show's Jesse Armstrong — someone who knows more than a thing or two about black comedy — this Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics' Choice, Writers Guild and Directors Guild Award-winner is savagely smart, darkly biting and often laugh-out-loud funny about its chosen milieu. And in the words of cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun, Zola) in this year's earlier sneak peek, yes, that sounds kinda dramatic. As well as dropping the full season three trailer, HBO has also announced that Succession will return mid-October — and Foxtel, which airs the series in Australia, has revealed that the third season will start airing Down Under from Monday, October 18. Check out the full Succession season three trailer below: Succession's third season will start airing on Foxtel and Foxtel On Demand from Monday, October 18. Image: HBO.
If you spent Melbourne's sixth lockdown wondering when it'd end, well, of course you did. If you filled your time dreaming about when you might be able to venture not only around the city, throughout Victoria and across Australia, but also overseas, that's also understandable. So today, Friday, October 22, brings two doses of good news. Not only have stay-at-home conditions now ended (as every Melburnian well and truly knows), but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has just announced the end of quarantine for international travellers who've had both their COVID-19 vaccinations. That change will kick in on Monday, November 1, meaning that double-vaxxed folks entering Victoria from overseas won't need to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine from that point onwards. Plus, the cap on double-jabbed returning Aussies arriving in Victoria will also be scrapped. Anyone heading to the state from another country will need to show their vaccination status upon arrival, of course, with Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration recognising the Pfizer (Comirnaty), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Moderna (Spikevax), COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen (Johnson and Johnson), Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) jabs. You'll also need to test negative to COVID-19 within 72 hours of departing, and then take another test within 24 hours of arriving in Victoria. While this'll obviously apply to Aussies who've been overseas during the pandemic and are now coming home, it'll also cover Victorians going on overseas holidays — because, as previously announced, that's permitted by the Federal Government from Monday, November 1 as well. At this early stage, the international border will open for double-jabbed Aussies heading outwards and coming back, plus permanent residents and citizens and their families, but not for international travellers and international students. Your suitcase does look mighty tempting now, we know. And, the list of places that Australians can fly to keeps growing — Qantas has just brought forward some of its planned international flights, in fact. If you do head off, then come back and test positive for COVID-19 once you're back in Victoria, you'll need to isolate at home like as any other case in the community. And, for the unvaxxed, the mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine remains in place for international travellers — and there'll be a weekly cap of 250 unvaccinated folks allowed into the state from overseas. For further information about Victoria's international travel quarantine plans, head to the Victorian Government's website.
It might just be Australia's brightest festival, and it's returning to light up Alice Springs once again. That'd be Parrtjima - A Festival In Light, which will deliver its fifth annual program between Friday, April 3–Sunday, April 12 — and it has just started announcing its latest lineup. The nation's first indigenous festival of its kind, Parrtjima's 2020 event will mark the festival's second in its new autumn timeslot. That move proved a big hit last year, with a record crowd of 25,000 attending the 2019 event. As always, the fest will continue its free ten-day public celebration of Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling — and its focus on dazzling light installations — in the CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, as well as at tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town. On the bill: new luminous displays, including a glowing sphere that'll be suspended three metres above the ground and a four-metre-tall flower, plus an opening night performance by Dan Sultan. They all fall under the theme 'lifting our spirits', with the 2020 fest particularly enthusiastic about "lifting the spirits from the work of artists, old and new, to the spirit of this year's audience". If the thought of towering art already has you excited, the two aforementioned pieces — Grass Seed and Alatye (Bush Yam) — actually form part of a larger new artwork called Werte. Taking inspiration from the circular and lined meeting place symbols painted by local Arrernte artist Kumalie Kngwarraye Riley, it's designed to take visitors on a journey through the Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct, and also features an eight-metre-high piece about emus dubbed Emu Laying Eggs at Night. [caption id="attachment_715722" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lighting the Ranges, Parrtjima festival, Alice Springs, Australia.5/4/2019. Images courtesy Parrtjima / NTMEC[/caption] The 2020 lineup will also include Sultan's roots and blues tunes, with the musician hitting the stage alongside Australian earth sound band OKA — plus a heap of other Aussie acts that haven't yet been revealed. Then there's Deep Listening, a new series of talks in the Desert Park Cinema that'll pair contemporary topics of interest with a selection of films by Aboriginal filmmakers. And, over in the Todd Mall, Fire Stories will showcase local storytellers, alongside cabaret and music performances, and a roster of workshops. As always, the Alice Springs Desert Park will come alive with the festival's main attraction. Once again, a huge artwork will transform a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival. Just what it'll feature this year hasn't been unveiled, but it's always spectacular — and it always highlights stories, symbols and knowledge of Aboriginal culture. Another returning favourite is Ahelhe Itethe – Living Sands (Grounded), where installations are projected onto the earth accompanied by a striking soundscape. [caption id="attachment_715710" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Parrtjima festival, Alice Springs, Australia. 6/4/2019. Images courtesy Parrtjima / NTMEC[/caption] Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2020, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 3–12, 2020 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: James Horan.
Believe it or not, it's been ten years of heading along to Hoyts on the weekend, smashing a large popcorn and a choc-top, and getting super jazzed up for whatever the latest Marvel film is. There have been 20 films since things started back in 2009 with Iron Man, and though they may be critically debated, nearly everyone can agree that they are at least entertaining. They give you that giddy blockbuster feeling that sticks around even when the lights go up and you realise you've got chocolate ice-cream all down your front. The St Kilda's Astor Theatre is honouring that feeling, and the fact that it's been a decade of Marvel Studios solidly churning out bangers, by putting on a Marvel Marathon. Showing 18 of the films, the bonanza will run over a (slightly ridiculous) 48 hours — you'll have to be a superfan to stay awake through all of this. The marathon will kick off with Iron Man at 11am on Saturday, January 5 and finish up at 11am on Monday, January 7 with Ant-Man and the Wasp. In the middle, you'll catch hits like Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. You can purchase one-day passes online for $40, or a full 48-hour pass for $65.
So this bloke called Bruzzy owns a farm in Tallarook and because he's a bloody legend, every year he hosts the beatnik camping festival Boogie. Basically, Boogie is a three-day buffet of music, arts, booze, food and Boxwars. This year, the organisers have increased its capacity to 1500 people, keeping the music line-up suitably stellar. There's New York City's Endless Boogie with their grizzled riff-rock, Tav Falco's Panther Burns (a bastardisation of Mississippi blues and rockabilly), the hyperactive Money for Rope, dreamy Simone Felice, Mr Phil Jamieson, Don Walker and The Suave Fucks, Lowtide, Wang, Velociraptor and many, many more. Punters will be able to swap hard cash for "Boogie bucks" which can be exchanged for chewy, chocky, drinks and the spare toothbrush you will never remember. The Boogie kitchens and bars will be serving food and alcoholic beverages and one can even have an outdoor shower (but it'll cost ya, at $5). All tickets include free return train travel from Melbourne, good sounds and grand times over the Easter break. Did I mention it's a BYO festival? Boogie begins on Friday, March 29, and ends at noon on Monday, April 1. Image Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt and Bill Chambers via Chrissie Vincent Publicity.
Bluesfest has lifted the lid on its second artist announcement for 2019, adding 19 more names to the festival's already hefty 30th anniversary lineup. Heading this latest stampede is music legend Paul Kelly. He'll be hitting the five-day Easter long weekend festival just out of Byron after touring the country for his pre-Christmas show Making Gravy (which has sold out in most cities). More second announcement names include Irish singer Hozier, chart-topping UK artist David Gray and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples — who, fittingly, co-wrote and sang on Hozier's last hit single 'Nina Cried Power'. They'll place alongside two huge headliners: Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, who will play with his band The Innocent Criminals. Both artists will be performing exclusively at Bluesfest, with Johnson making his third appearance at the festival after first appearing in 2001 and again in 2014. S Other acts taking to the stage at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm over the weekend include Aussies Kasey Chambers and Richard Clapton, six-piece soul band St. Paul and The Broken Bones and Grammy Award-winning jazz and funk collective Snarky Puppy. American singer and record producer George Clinton will perform one of his last live shows ever, before retiring in May, alongside his funk collective Parliament-Funkadelic. Anyway, here's the full lineup (so far). Better start making Easter plans because tickets are already selling fast. BLUESFEST 2019 LINEUP SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT Paul Kelly Hozier David Gray Julia Stone Gary Clark Jr. Mavis Staples Flogging Molly Meshell Ndegeocello Ruthie Foster Shakey Graves Anderson East Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real Samantha Fish The War and Treaty Mojo Juju Caiti Baker Deva Mahal Melody Angel Hussy Hicks FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT Jack Johnson Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals Ray Lamontagne George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic Snarky Puppy Kasey Chambers St Paul and The Broken Bones Nahko and Medicine for the People Tommy Emmanuel Colin Hay Arlo Guthrie Keb' Mo' Tex Perkins Allen Stone Richard Clapton Russell Morris Kurt Vile and The Violators Vintage Trouble The Black Sorrows The California Honeydrops Trevor Hall I'm With Her Larkin Poe Irish Mythen Elephant Sessions Greensky Blugrass Rockwiz Live + more to be announced. Bluesfest 2019 will run April 18 to April 22 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. More details and ticket info here. Image: Cybele Malinowski and Joseph Mayers.
This 007-inspired spy flick is sending critics into a frenzy, for all the right reasons. Director Matthew Vaughn (the mastermind behind Kick-Ass and X-Men First Class) is at it again, this time reworking the beloved 2012 comic-book series The Secret Service into a fast-paced and tongue-firmly-in-cheek tale of crime, action and adventure. Kingsman: The Secret Service stars Colin Firth (as you've never seen him before), Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Caine. It follows street kid Gary Unwin (Taron Egerton) as he attempts to join the highly contested ranks of an underground spy ring. And the initial verdict? It's one to watch. With 100% approval so far on Rotten Tomatoes, Kingsman has been labelled "a thoughtful, exciting, whip-smart spy adventure that doesn't let its smart-ass post-modernism overwhelm its playfulness or its heart" (by Andrew Taylor for The Playlist). Kingsman is in cinemas on February 5. Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox, we have 20 double passes up to a January 28 VIP preview screening to give away in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
After a year spent largely cooped up at home, it's safe to say that most Melburnians are itching to get out and explore. But with the odd COVID-19 outbreak turning interstate travel into a risky holiday game, it seems that now is the absolute best time to embrace the staycation — especially thanks to a suite of new government-funded initiatives designed to entice you to step away from the airline booking page and unearth some of the goodness right here in this very city. Nine local precinct associations have scored themselves extra activation funding from the City of Melbourne, as part of its $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund in collaboration with the Victorian Government. And that translates to a raft of new initiatives and programs for local staycationers to take advantage of. If they're quick, of course. One of these, dubbed the Docklands Dollars program, could see you score rebates of up to $210 from the Docklands Chamber of Commerce just for kicking it local. Recipients can access a $100 cashback offer when they book two night accommodation in the Docklands area, as well as up to $110 via a rebate for purchases at the precinct's stores, restaurants, fast food spots, services and attractions. And yep, that includes things like the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, the O'Brien Icehouse and even those self-drive GoBoat picnic boats. To access the Docklands Dollars initiative, you'll need to submit your interest and register via the program's website. After that, you've got 30 days to book your stay and activate your account for the rest of the rebates. As part of the City of Melbourne's new funding, there's also a competition offering you the chance to win a staycation for you and five mates within the Yarra River Precinct. You can enter that one online as well. More initiatives are set to be rolled out by other City of Melbourne precinct associations, too, including the Chinatown Precinct Association, Carlton Inc and the Collins Street Precinct Group. Find out more about the Docklands Dollars program over at the website. Registrations are open now. Top image: Emily Godfrey via Visit Victoria.
Mailbox Art Space is snug. Snug to the point where it's difficult to imagine one artist being able to squeeze their works into the space (which amounts to a mounted mailbox and its surrounds), let alone four. But that's precisely what Belle Bassin, Leanne Hermosilla, Valentina Palonen and Anna Parry have set out to do in Heathen, their first collaboration for the small Flinders Lane art space. Showing in the foyer of the historic Pawson House building from July 6-30, the exhibition is an exploration of "mysticism, the numinous and the unknowable". The combination of four dramatically different styles in such a compact space promises to make for a compelling study of what lies behind the veil of the tangible. Image: Anna Parry, Sacred Geometry, 2014, Watercolour and gouache on paper.
What to do when your social life has once again reverted to virtual hangs with mates, but you exhausted most of the decent group activity options last time around? Enter: Virtual Escape — an Aussie website offering a digital version of the brain-teasing escape room experience. Much like the real-life challenge rooms you'd have tried back in pre-pandemic times, Virtual Escape hosts a series of interactive puzzles requiring fierce teamwork and plenty of clue-solving to get you out of sticky fictional situations. Only these ones are played entirely online, with participants communicating via video call. To play, you'll need a WhatsApp group, multiple devices and a way of viewing PDF documents. Each team of two-to-six players will be joined by their own facilitator, who'll provide the background info and set the challenge. Currently, there are two Virtual Escape experiences to choose from, one centred around a bank heist and the other featuring a bomb threat. A third, inspired by the humble hangover, is in development, to be released in the coming months. Each runs for a heart-pumping 60 minutes, priced at $45 per group of up to six. Got a competitive streak? The top ranking teams for each online experience are published on the website, in case you want to strive for the glory of the leaderboard.
It might just be Australia's brightest festival, and it's returning to light up Alice Springs once again. That'd be Parrtjima - A Festival In Light, which will deliver its sixth annual program between Friday, April 9–Sunday, April 18 — returning to the autumn time slot it established in 2019. After a chaotic 2020, which saw the event postponed to September due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions — and offer a virtual tour, too — the fest has big plans for 2021. Once more, it'll continue its free ten-day public celebration of Indigenous arts, culture, music and storytelling, and its focus on dazzling light installations. This time around, the event is corralling its program around the theme 'future kultcha'. That means there'll be a particular focus on "intergenerational wisdom told through light, interactive workshops, art, music, films, performance and the spoken word". [caption id="attachment_799417" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Artist's impression of 'Landing Kutcha'[/caption] When it returns to the Alice Springs CBD's Alice Springs Todd Mall, as well as tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct just out of town, Parrtjima will unveil a new set of signature installations — and yes, they're set to dazzle. While the festival's full program hasn't yet been released, the event has revealed a few key details about its luminous displays for this year. The striking 'Landing Kultcha' will use light tubes of different lengths, span 20 metres in length and provide quite the entranceway. 'Revolving Kutcha' will feature shields, coolamons and skateboards, including one large central piece that'll range between six to eight metres high, plus eight other two-metre-tall sculptures. And, 'Grounded Kultcha' will project an animated sequence of curated artworks onto the sands of Alice Springs Desert Park. There's also 'Merging Kultcha', which features a train of five illuminated camels; 'Tailoring Kultcha', with light and textiles used to transform Todd Mall; and 'Harvesting Kultcha', an interactive game for all ages that's inspired by the constant movement in a honey-ant nest. And, as it always does, the festival's main attraction will glow far and wide. Once again, a huge artwork will transform a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic, 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival. The installation is being called 'Spirit Kultcha' this year, and it'll include a soundscape by Electric Fields. [caption id="attachment_799418" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Artist's impression of 'Merging Kutcha'[/caption] The full Parrtjima program is set to be announced in March, with more than 55 artists involved. You'll be able to dine under the stars at the Alice Springs Desert Park Precinct — thanks to a dinner that's a first for the fest — and also see a music lineup led by Casey Donovan. Of course, Parrtjima is just one of Northern Territory's two glowing attractions in 2021, with Australia's Red Centre lighting up in multiple ways. The festival is a nice supplement to Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation, which — after multiple extensions — is now on display indefinitely. If you're keen to start making Parrtjima plans, remember to check out the Northern Territory's COVID-19 border restrictions first. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light runs from April 9–18, 2021 around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Top images: James Horan.
It's a tough time to be a little guy, with so much of the country in lockdown once again. Many of our local producers rely on farmer's markets to distribute their products, so last year, Sydney's favourite butter churners Pepe Saya Butter Co launched Aussie Artisan Week to encourage Australians to support our nations' small cheesemakers, gin distilleries and mushroom harvesters. After a successful inaugural year, Aussie Artisan Week is back and running from Monday, August 16 until Monday, August 23. Right across the week, Pepe Saya is spreading the local love and encouraging you to check out some of this country's finest artisan producers. The Aussie Artisan Week's Instagram is featuring stories from a raft of its favourite food businesses — and you'll find a growing directory of producers over on its website complete with handy links on where to buy their wares. If you're organising a next-level breakfast for Saturday morning, start with NSW's Crumpets by Merna and Bondi Yoghurt, Northern Territory's Alice Bakery, Queensland's My Berries and of course Pepe Saya Butter Co. Or, if you're planning a fancy night in, you can hit up Cupitt's Estate winery, Kangaroo Valley Olives and Great Southern Truffles. To kick things off, Pepe Saya has also just launched a collaboration with local spread Oomite to create a luxe Vegemite-esque spread that combines Pepe Saya butter, umami and Oomite marble. The Oomite butter is available online in 100-gram wheels.
